Since 2011, the political and economic reforms introduced by the government of Myanmar have made strong gains in terms of improving the energy sector in the country. However, only a quarter of the general population has access to electricity services. By implementing energy efficiency policies, Myanmar could improve the situation and benefit from significant savings.
However, the country faces challenges in implementing such measures. “Myanmar has limited capabilities, and no previous experience in developing or implementing energy-efficiency policies,” Ms. Naing Naing Linn, Director from the Ministry of Industry explains.
To help overcome this lack of experience, lites.asia and the United Nations Environment Programme-Global Environment Facility en.lighten initiative sponsored Myanmar to attend regional stakeholder meetings for lighting in 2014 and 2015. Since 2015, this support has continued through the Global Environment Facility-UN Environment’s United for Efficiency and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) SHINE programme with assistance developing and implementing energy efficiency policies for appliances, lighting and equipment.
According to a United for Efficiency Country Savings Assessment, Myanmar could reduce its annual national electricity use by over 6 per cent in 2030—saving nearly $60 million in reduced electricity bills—by putting in place minimum energy performance standards for lighting, residential refrigerators, room air conditioners, distribution transformers and industrial electric motors.
To read more about the support Myanmar is receiving, click here or to view Myanmar’s savings assessments, click here.